“Not everyone dreams of opening a fusion bistro or perfecting a vol-au-vent, but many feel that they had a tougher time learning their trade than younger, mollycoddled and overly entitled upstarts. And for those, “The Chopping Block” cuts just right.”

“There is a kind of baseline entertainment value to all such contests — we’re a species that will watch turtles race — and while I’d make no great claims for “The Chopping Block,” it’s watchable enough.”